Science and Chinas Modernization The history of modernization is in essence a history of scientific and technological progress. Scientific discovery and technological inventions have brought about new civilizations, modern industries, and the rise and fall of nations. China is now engaged in a modernization drive unprecedented in the history of humankind. Over the past half century, China has made great achievements in basic science and technological innovation. It now ranks among the top nations in the annual number of papers published internationally and patent applications filed. China has also made achievements in such areas as manned space flight, high-performance computers, super-large-scale integrated circuits, and third-generation telecommunications technology. High-tech industry has experienced rapid growth, accounting for over 15% of the manufacturing industry. Francis Bacon, the 16th-century English philosopher, referred to science as a means to improve humankinds lot. Today, the hybrid rice variety developed by Chinese scientists has been adopted for planting in over three million hectares and has become a golden key to meeting Chinas own food needs and boosting world cereal production. Scientific and technological development in the realm of health has also increased average life expectancy in China to that in developed countries. To encourage further innovation, the Chinese government has formulated a Mid- to Long-Term Plan for Development of Science and Technology (2006-2020), which highlights research in the basic sciences and frontier technologies, with priority given to energy, water resources, and environmental protection. We strive to develop independent intellectual property rights in areas of information technology and new materials, while strengthening the application of biotechnology to agriculture, industry, population, and health. The future of Chinas science and technology depends fundamentally on how we attract, train, and use young scientific talents today. Thus, at the core of our science and technology policy is attracting a diverse range of talents, especially young people, into science and providing them with an environment that brings out the best of their creative ideas. In the field of science and technology, we will intensify institutional reform, restructure scientific research, rationally allocate public resources, and enhance innovation capability. We advocate free academic debate under a lively academic atmosphere, where curiosity-driven exploration is encouraged and failure tolerated. Science has no boundaries. Chinas endeavors in science and technology need to be more integrated with those of the world, and the world needs a China that is vibrant and able to deliver more in science and technology. Just as collisions generate sparks, exchange and communication enrich imagination and creativity. Many Chinese scientists have stepped into the international academic arena, where they and their foreign colleagues learn from each other and jointly contribute to the worldwide development of science and technology. To encourage the learning and application of science among the general public, we need to embrace a scientific culture by promoting scientific rationality while cherishing Chinese cultural heritage. Enlightened by science, the rich and profound Chinese culture is bound to shine more gloriously. I firmly believe that science is the ultimate revolution. At a time when the current global financial turmoil is dealing a heavy blow to the world economy, it has become all the more important to rely on scientific and technological progress to promote growth in the real economy. Economic and social development must rely on science and technology, and science and technology must serve economic and social development. We will rely on science and technology to promote economic restructuring, transform development patterns, safeguard food and energy security, and address global climate change. We are confident that China will reap a rich harvest in science and technology and that this will have positive and far-reaching effects on human civilization and the well-being of humankind. 中文全文: 科学与中国的现代化 现代化的历史实际上是由科学和技术的发展所谱写的。科学发现和技术创新带出了崭新的文明、现代化的工业,也牵动了国家的兴亡。现在,中国正以人类历史前所未有的速度进入现代化进程。 过去半个世纪以来,中国在基础科学和技术创新上硕果累累。不论从每年国际发表论文,还是从专利申请上来看,中国都已跻身世界前列;除此以外,在载人航天、高性能计算机、超大规模集成电路和第三代通信技术等领域也战果辉煌。高新技术产业正飞速发展,其规模在制造业中已占到15%。 16世纪英国哲学家培根称:科学就是力量。今天,中国科学家培育的杂交水稻品种已经在超过300万公顷土地上生根结实,它们成为了解决中国粮食需求和促进世界粮食产量的金钥匙。在医疗保健领域,科技的发展也已使中国人的平均预期寿命达到了发达国家水平。 为了鼓励进一步的创新,中国政府制定了中长期科学和技术发展规划(2006-2020年),该计划特别强调基础科学和前沿科技的研究,并着重关注能源、水资源和环境保护问题。我们正努力完善信息技术和新材料的自主知识产权,同时加强生物技术在农业、工业、人口和健康领域的应用。 从根本上来说,中国未来的科学技术发展取决于我们今天如何吸引、培养和利用青年科技人才。因此,我们科技政策的核心应该是将各种人才,尤其是年轻人,吸引到科学事业中来,并为他们提供产生绝佳创意的环境。 在科技领域,我们将加强机构改革,改组科学研究,合理配置公共资源,并提高创新能力。我们提倡在活跃的科研氛围中进行自由的学术讨论,在这一氛围下,好奇心驱使的探索将受到鼓励,失败和错误将得到宽容。 科学无国界。中国在科技领域的努力需要更好地同世界其它地区的努力相结合,同样,世界也需要活力充沛的中国来为科技的发展贡献力量。碰撞才能产生火花,交换和沟通将丰富我们的想像力和创造力。许多中国学者已步入国际学术舞台,在那里,他们和国外同行相互学习,为世界科技发展共同努力。 为鼓励公众学习和应用科学,我们需要在尊重中国文化传统的基础之上发扬科学理性,营造具有科学精神的文化氛围。有科学相伴,底蕴深厚的中国文化必将放出更加璀璨耀眼的光芒。 我坚信,科学是终极变革。当前全球金融动荡正猛烈冲击世界经济,由科技进步带动的实体经济发展迫在眉睫。金融和社会进步必须依靠科学技术,科技要反之服务于金融和社会。我们将借助科技的力量来推进经济结构调整,改良发展模式,为食品和能源安全带来保障,并应对全球气候变迁的问题。我们相信,中国将在科技领域取得丰硕的成果,这必将对人类的文明和幸福产生积极和深远的影响。